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The Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) offers the Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program in partnership with ArtsMemphis for organizations seeking support in the following West TN counties: Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby, Tipton. The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program is designed to provide support for arts projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. Orga... Read More

MEMPHIS—This week, ArtsMemphis has announced its second round of fiscal year 2021 operating support grants, bringing the organization’s distribution total for this grant category to $850,000 across 48 arts organizations based in Memphis and Shelby County. “We recognize that unrestricted operating support is necessary to shape a dynamic and sustainable arts community,” said ArtsMemphis President & CEO Elizabeth Rouse. “In addition to the COVID-prompted Artist... Read More

MEMPHIS—This week, ArtsMemphis has released new data on behalf of the local arts organizations it has funded, painting a picture of the continued need for community support of the arts sector. Following a $20 million loss in 2020, local arts organizations collectively project a 25% decrease in 2021 income compared to 2019’s pre-pandemic numbers.  “Our arts organizations have made strategic shifts in operations and programs in order to continue harnessing an audience a... Read More

Elizabeth Rouse, Guest Columnist  Published February 23, 2021 | The Daily Memphian On a recent cold, dreary weekend afternoon, I arrived at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art for the first time since the pandemic began. My role with ArtsMemphis had regularly brought me to the exquisite site for events, speakers and series, but this time, there was no agenda. It was just me and the art. My visit was one of raw, unexpected emotion and stands as one of my most enjoyable, unforgettable pand... Read More

Pat Danehy, Guest Columnist Published 12:18pm EST | Dec. 18, 2020 | Memphis Business Journal Like many, in December I reflect on accomplishments and challenges of the year and hopes for the future —with gratitude for the opportunity to do so. In both my professional and civic seats here in Memphis, the term “investment” is a constant. When one invests, it is the intent that the investment will yield a positive return. I’ve reflected upon the economic impact of... Read More

Pat Mitchell-Worley, Guest Columnist  Published 4 a.m.| December 12. 2020 | The Daily Memphian I believe art is not just a “feel-good,” esoteric aesthetic. Art is not just about the intangible. Art is not just about the now. In a year weighed down by the daily struggle and short-term, significant impacts of a pandemic on our households, organizations and communities, we forget to look further. It’s almost impossible to look further. However, for our youths, thes... Read More

MEMPHIS, TN, December 10, 2020— In conjunction with the inaugural Arts Week, ArtsMemphis today announced a grant from the Regions Foundation of Tennessee to provide financial support to arts organizations in the form of unrestricted grants. Arts Week, occurring from December 7 – 13, 2020, is a community-wide celebration spotlighting all that our local artists and organizations have created and accomplished throughout this unprecedented year. For over 20 years, the nonprofit Regi... Read More

Rodney Sanders, Guest Columnist  Published 4:00 AM | December 9, 2020 | The Daily Memphian To celebrate the work artists and arts organizations have created in 2020 despite the pandemic, ArtsMemphis is introducing its inaugural Arts Week Dec. 7-13. ArtsMemphis provides grants to 70 arts organization, and this year supplied emergency funds to individual artists. From an early age, I’ve been drawn to the arts. I remember my third-grade teacher taking the class to see “B... Read More

Published in The Daily Memphian, December 2, 2020 | Chris Herrington “Someday soon we all will be together/If the fates allow/Until then, we’ll have to muddle through somehow.” Judy Garland debuted “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the 1944 film “Meet Me in St. Louis.” So devoted am I to director Vincente Minnelli’s movie musical that I had no idea until a couple of years ago that there are versions (looking at you, Sinatra) that swa... Read More

Mia Henley, Guest Columnist Published: 4:00 a.m. | December 6, 2020 | The Daily Memphian “Who knew?” It's a phrase we have all uttered this year.  Who knew “Zoom” would be a word used daily? That 75-plus seniors would create phenomenal abstract paintings, and learn to write, and play the dulcimer — online?  That older adults would form new friendships through their online class communities? Who knew that talented local musicians would move... Read More